A NEW Year reveller had his nose broken when violence erupted in a Stafford nightspot.

Victim Mr Christopher Sherratt was "poleaxed" by a single punch from Danny Clee, sending him crashing to the floor of the Casa club in Bridge Street, Stafford crown court heard.

Mr Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, said Mr Sherratt saw one of his friends in an altercation with the defendant and went to separate them.

Without warning, Clee punched him in the face and he ended up dazed on the floor. Mr Sherratt was later taken to hospital by ambulance and was found to have a broken nose, along with black eyes, a one inch cut to the back of his head and broken dentures.

Clee, aged 22, of Bursnips Road, Essington, near Wolverhampton was given a six month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £300 compensation and £600 costs.

Recorder Mr Edward Coke (corr) told him: "This blow was of such force you poleaxed that man and his head hit the floor. It was an attack in licensed premises and unprovoked."

Miss Katherine Pierpoint, defending, said Clee had been out with his wife and other couples that night.

"He is extremely sorry for the nasty injuries caused to Mr Sherratt, who was simply enjoying his New Year night out."